Fields of Remembrance

09 Nov

In 2016, SPW began a significant relationship with the Returned and Services League (RSL) accepting responsibility for the upkeep of the Crosses of Remembrance for the 10th Battalion, a South Australian WW1 Battalion.

The relationship continues this year and on Sunday 5 November 2017, staff and House Captains met in the city to lay out the 900 crosses for this Battalion in the Field of Remembrance along North Terrace. Together with a number of other schools, army cadets, RSL staff and other volunteers, the students worked together as a team ensuring the crosses of the 10th Battalion were laid out with respect and care.

During the Year 7 City Week, all students will visit the Fields of Remembrance and pay respect to those who have fallen whilst serving their country. Taking part in this project is a very humbling experience and has allowed all children a better understanding of why it is important to commemorate Remembrance Day.

What do our House Captains have to say?

Setting up the Crosses of Remembrance was a great experience. I felt happy after putting down the crosses because I had done something good for the school and myself – Ashlee

There was a great feeling setting everything up; it felt great helping out the local community – Tyren

It made me feel happy about helping the soldiers who risked their lives to help our country. They made it the way it is today – Abby J

More about the 10th BattallionRecruited in August 1914, this battalion was committed to the Gallipoli Campaign. On 25 April 1915, the 10th Battalion took part in the Landing at Anzac Cove, coming ashore during the initial stages of the operation as part of the covering force. Members from the 10th Battalion penetrated the furthest inland of any Australian troops during the initial fighting, before the Allied advance inland was checked. After this, the battalion helped defend the beachhead against a Turkish counter-attack in May, before joining the August Offensive, a failed Allied effort to break the deadlock. Casualties were heavy throughout the campaign and in November 1915, the surviving members were withdrawn from the peninsula and in early 1916 the battalion was reformed in Egypt. After a period of reorganisation the Battalion was transferred to the Western Front in March 1916, and for the next two-and-a-half years took part in trench warfare in France and Belgium until the Armistice in 1918. The last detachment of men from the 10th Battalion returned to Australia in September 1919.